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FINAL DEADLINE: Ovarian Cancer Victims Have Until 5pm ET Today to Vote on Approximately $8 Billion J&J Talc Compensation Plan

Business Wire 26-Jul-2024 9:05 AM

Those Who Previously Voted "No" Can Still Switch Their Vote to "Yes"

Today at 5pm ET is the final deadline for tens of thousands of ovarian cancer victims or their representatives to vote on the approximately $8 billion Johnson & Johnson ("J&J") (NYSE:JNJ) talcum powder settlement, leaving claimants just hours to act.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240726806059/en/

Haven't voted in favor of the talcum powder plan yet? There's still time. (Graphic: Business Wire)

Haven't voted in favor of the talcum powder plan yet? There's still time. (Graphic: Business Wire)

Talc claimants can vote on the plan at www.OfficialTalcClaims.com or by calling 1-888-431-4056.

The approximately $8 billion plan, which has a net present value of $6.475 billion, will compensate current and future claimants who were harmed by J&J's talcum powder products, putting an end to a lengthy, frustrating litigation process. Under the plan, ovarian cancer claimants are expected to receive an average of $75,000 to $150,000 each.

In order for claimants and families to achieve the timely and fair compensation they deserve, at least 75% of the people casting votes must vote YES on the plan.

The Ad Hoc Group of Counsel – representing more than 77,500 individuals in this matter – urges all individuals harmed by J&J baby powder products and their attorneys to take action now before the deadline of 5pm ET today.

If you have already voted "no" and are having second thoughts, it's not too late: Only your latest vote counts and will override any prior vote you cast. Please know that your voting decision is completely confidential.

The Ad Hoc Group of Counsel believes that law firms opposing the settlement have attempted to sway voters towards continued litigation, because doing so would result in hundreds of millions of dollars in fees to the lawyers. Those extra payments to attorneys would not be available through a bankruptcy settlement.

At this critical time, the Ad Hoc Group of Counsel is providing detailed responses to the misleading claims put forth by opposing law firms so that all J&J claimants can make an informed voting decision.

  • What They Claim: There is no way of knowing how much claimants will be paid or when. The Truth: Under the J&J bankruptcy plan, ovarian cancer claimants are projected to receive an average recovery of between $75,000 and $150,000.
  • What They Claim: Claimants are being deprived of the right to choose to settle. The Truth: By voting on J&J's bankruptcy plan, people are actually making their voice heard and preserving their ability to participate in this historic settlement of approximately $8 billion through a process that eliminates litigation risk.
  • What They Claim: Claimants have a better chance of succeeding if they vote "no" and take their case to trial. The Truth: In over a decade of litigation, just 17 ovarian cancer cases have gone to trial. J&J and its subsidiaries have prevailed in 16 of those cases, with plaintiffs recovering no money.
  • What They Claim: Resolution through multidistrict litigation (MDL) is the fairest way to handle these cases. The Truth: The law firms opposing the settlement have had ample time to reach a resolution through MDL, but their efforts to reach a consensus have not been successful.
  • What They Claim: There are thousands of "fantasy cases" among those voting to support the plan. The Truth: Our clients are real people who have suffered greatly as a result of using J&J talc products. This statement is deeply offensive to the tens of thousands of talc victims represented by the Ad Hoc Group of Counsel.
  • What They Claim: People diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the future due to their past use of talc products won't be able to hold J&J accountable. The Truth: A future claims representative is representing the rights of future claimants, and those future victims will have the same recovery rights as current claimants.
  • What They Claim: Voting against the plan will make J&J suffer. The Truth: Voting "no" hurts victims, not J&J. If the proposed plan fails to garner enough "yes" votes, these victims will not receive compensation for their suffering for years, if ever.
  • What They Claim: If J&J is able to resolve this matter through bankruptcy, other corporations will also seek to escape mass tort liability and jury trials through the bankruptcy process. The Truth: If this vote succeeds, J&J will be paying an historic amount - approximately $8 billion - to settle claims. The company is being held accountable for the harm its products caused.

Ovarian cancer survivor Tamika Evans, 47, of Chicago voted to approve the plan. She stated: "I support this settlement because I need help with my ongoing treatment costs and to recover from the medical debt. It's about more than money – it's about acknowledging the impact on our lives."

As Anna Maria Sanderford, 61, of Arizona, stated: "We need to get this settlement done so we can go on with our lives and do what we want with the time we have left."

Image for Press Release 1936732